There are still a few days left of the Fair--it runs until September 2, so I thought I'd share some of my ideas for how to make it a fun outing when you go with little kids &/or babies along with a few highlights of what we got up to:
1.
The PNE has got some great amenities for parents of babies & toddlers. Notably, the baby zone, a couple of portables where you can change babies, warm bottles & breastfeed on a couch in a separate room if you're not comfortable doing it al fresco. There are extra washrooms near the kiddie rides area too which are not that busy.
2.
The helicopter rides are a good bang for your buck with really small kids (even under 36"). Just two tickets gets your kid in & a parent/caregiver gets to ride for free. Ask for the list of rides that allow parents on for free at the booths in Kids Playce where you buy tickets.
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| Papa & Oli 'flew' in Zippy the helicopter |
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| Over 36": tall enough for lots of rides! |
3.
There are quite a few water fountains around, so keep hydrated in the lion's jaws or bring your own bottle to refill. The cheapest cold drinks we saw were $3.75!
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| Drinking water from the jaws of a lion? Why not? |
4.
The best deal on fried snacks is pakoras at Curry in a Hurry: $3 a plate. Everything else is quite expensive. Bonus: pakoras actually have vegetables in them!
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| Gotta get a photo before we polish them off... |
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| $5 corn dog. Meh. |
5.
If there are big line-ups, keep walking into the park: the third or fourth mini-donut stand won't be as busy.
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| I can't resist these & make a beeline for them immediately upon arrival. |
6.
Cloudy/showery days are much less busy if you don't mind getting slightly damp. Putting the kids in muddy buddies & gumboots mean no wet pants from benches/rides or puddles.
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| He might have had more fun in the puddles than one ride he tried. |
Check the live show schedule at beginning of your visit, or better yet online before going--we saw a farrier shoeing a police horse & caught a bit of a kids' stage show but missed out on Superdogs & the pig races as we didn't plan ahead.
8.
For our little urban boy, looking at all the animals is always a highlight of the Fair. It was also a great place to get out of the rain & sit for a bit--there are benches everywhere in there, great for resting while pregnant or breastfeeding.
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| Poking at some ducklings. |
Did you go to the PNE this year with little kids? Got any other tips to share? Leave them in the comments below...
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Just have to say - that is one TALL three year old!! He is almost as tall as my going-into-grade-one Megan!! Glad you had a great day:)
ReplyDeleteHa! It's a bit of an illusion--I think he's only 38" or 39". Tall enough for some of the rides, at least! Maybe next summer he'll be able to go on all the Kids Playce ones. :)
DeleteThe food prices really are out of control. The prize pack I won (thanks again! :D ) has a coupon book, and one is for a donair plate and pop - "only $17!"
ReplyDeleteI used to go to the CNE pretty often, where there's an entire food building, and I don't remember the prices being so steep. Though I suppose that could have changed.
We're heading down tomorrow, and I'm hoping we can catch Superdogs and the pig races!